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Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

Department for Transport

This public procurement record has 10 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

31 Jul 2026 at 16:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

31 Jul 2026 at 16:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 16:14

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 Jul 2026 at 13:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

02 Jul 2026 at 16:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

02 Jul 2026 at 16:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

03 Jun 2026 at 10:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

30 Apr 2026 at 16:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Jan 2026 at 14:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Dec 2025 at 13:38

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport is procuring the STARFour multi-supplier framework for specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport systems. It will support the Department and other qualifying public bodies with strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management. Lot 1 covers transport strategy, planning, economic forecasting, operations, performance, commercial advice, infrastructure and assets, and project and programme management. Lot 2 covers interim transport advisers, panel and review team resources, and specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies. The work may support rail, roads, airports, ports and other transport modes, including transport policy, investment decisions, infrastructure delivery, decarbonisation and multi-modal integration across the United Kingdom. The framework is intended to succeed the existing STARThree arrangement.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire. Responses were due by 12:00 BST on 14 September 2026, and enquiries closed at 12:00 BST on 21 August 2026. Up to 108 participants will be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender; the framework may appoint up to 72 suppliers. The framework is planned for 31 July 2027 to 30 July 2030, with an extension option to 30 July 2031. Estimated value is £350,000,000 excluding VAT (£420,000,000 including VAT), comprising £342,500,000 for Lot 1 and £7,500,000 for Lot 2, both excluding VAT. Evaluation is technical quality 65%, commercial 25% and social value 10%.

This opportunity suits specialist transport consultancies, engineering advisers, commercial and financial advisers, economists, operational experts, asset and infrastructure specialists, environmental and sustainability practitioners, and project or programme management firms. Relevant work includes business cases, forecasting, modelling, operational mobilisation, safety, customer service, commercial strategy, cost planning, risk analysis, procurement, contract management, due diligence, engineering, rolling stock, stations, airports, ports, signalling, electrification, digital systems and programme assurance. Lot 2 also suits providers of experienced interim advisers, review panels, recruitment strategies and specialist resource. Both lots are identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Suppliers should be able to provide niche expertise across transport modes and support direct awards or competitive call-offs under a framework, including work delivered through different pricing mechanisms.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Specialist Technical and Commercial Advisory for Rail and Other Transport Systems Framework (STARFour)

Notice Description

In line with its commitment to increasing investment in the UK's transport infrastructure, the Department for Transport ("DfT") requires ongoing access to high-quality, specialist technical and commercial advice services. This need is currently fulfilled through the STARThree Framework, which succeeded the Specialist Technical Advisory for Rail (STARTwo) Framework--both managed by the Department's Group Commercial Directorate ("GCD"). DfT is now procuring the Specialist Technical & Commercial Advice for Rail & Other Transport Systems Framework (the "STARFour Framework") to succeed the STARThree Framework (expiring 30 July 2027). The STARFour Framework will be a multi-lot, multi-supplier framework designed to provide specialist technical and commercial advice to support rail and wider transport programmes and projects. The STARFour Framework will provide DfT and other qualifying bodies (as detailed below) with access to niche transport expertise across rail and other transport modes, supporting strategic planning, operations, commercial delivery, infrastructure and asset advice, and project and programme management. Building on the success of STARThree, the new STARFour Framework will champion SME participation, promote innovation, and deliver value for money through streamlined procurement routes, including mini-competitions and direct awards, as detailed in the STARFour Framework Agreement. The STARFour Framework is essential to maintain a fit-for-purpose, flexible, and cost-effective route for specialist transport technical and commercial advice following the expiry of STARThree. As transport challenges evolve across a complex landscape including net zero strategies, decarbonisation, multi-modal integration, and industry restructuring, the STARFour Framework will ensure DfT and the other qualifying bodies have continued access to critical expertise across all transport sectors, not just rail. The STARFour Framework is intended for use by DfT and other qualifying bodies known as "Clients". These "Clients" are detailed in the "Contracting authorities that may use the framework" section below. In order to use the STARFour Framework the Clients will enter into an Access Agreement with DfT. The appointed consultants will not be party to these Access Agreements.

Lot Information

Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice

Lot 1 provides specialist technical and commercial advice across rail and other transport modes. Lot 1 will be sub-divided into eleven (11) Sub-Lots, across five (5) categories. The eleven (11) Sub-Lots will be awarded based on whether an Applicant is successful to the PRIME Grade (one (1) Sub-Lot) or to the MEDIUM and EXPERT Grade (five (5) Sub-Lots for each Category per Grade). Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. Lot 1 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require technical, commercial, operational, strategic, infrastructure, and programme delivery advice to support transport policy development, investment decision-making, and delivery. The Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Categories within Lot 1: Category A - Transport Strategy, Planning and Economic Forecasting Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting advice General transport strategy, planning and economic forecasting research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Strategic corporate planning and appraisal Business case support Benefits realisation support Monitoring and evaluation Control and investment period advice and analysis Strategic planning and research Transport market reviews High level general transport investment strategy support Macro and micro-economic advice Remapping and devolution studies Fare reviews and policy Ticketless travel and ticket retailing Revenue protection Modelling - revenue forecasting, fares and demand Package-specific bid evaluation support AI strategy development in transport Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category B - Transport Operations and Performance Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General transport operations, performance and customer service advice General transport operations, performance and customer service research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Operational proposal package Operational management Timetabling, diagramming, rostering Staffing policy/strategy Industrial relations/Trade Unions/TUPE/pensions General transport operational interfaces Management and business structure Operational mobilisation Operational safety Modal and inter-modal integration, interfaces and connectivity Passenger communication Passenger connectivity Service quality/customer service Passenger flow monitoring Cycle and walking advice Accessibility Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon, and social value. Category C - Commercial Advice for Transport Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General commercial advice for transport Commercial advice for transport research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Commercial risk analysis, adjustment, and profiling Model structuring and development Revenue and incentivisation commercial advice Comparator and should cost modelling and associated business case support Commercial strategy development, delivery and assurance Contract administration and contract management Estimating, cost planning, cost data analysis and benchmarking Quantitative cost risk analysis including Monte Carlo analysis Package-specific bid evaluation support Business and commercial model design Model analysis and testing of commercial models Supply chain mapping Commercial due diligence Project management commercial advice Procurement process management Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category D - Transport Infrastructure and Asset Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and general transport asset management and advice Transport infrastructure, rolling stock, critical equipment and assets research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Transport infrastructure predictive and preventative strategic support and advice Transport hub design, layout, logistics, passenger & pedestrian movement and facilities Stations - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Airports - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Ports - including access, property, parking, mobility and security Depots and stabling - strategy and advice Signaling and systems - strategy and advice Rolling stock - strategy and advice Rolling stock - management, acceptance, planning, leasing In operation facilities and services Technical due diligence General transport engineering, feasibility & operating advice Power / electrification including renewable and other energy sources strategy and advice Telecommunications and digital strategy and advice Intelligent infrastructure for asset management Package specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value. Category E - Transport Project and Programme Management Advice Typical requirements identified by Clients include, but are not limited to: General project, programme and portfolio management advice Project, programme and portfolio management research, methodological reviews, literature reviews, evaluation and data collection. Programme partner Programme, project and portfolio management Programme, project and portfolio delivery Programme, project and portfolio controls, risk management and change control. Programme, project and portfolio assurance Integrated assurance Stakeholder management advice Project feasibility advice Project representative Enterprise, programme and project integration management Package-specific bid evaluation support Environment, sustainability, carbon reduction and social value.

Renewal: The initial period for the framework is 3 years with the option to extend for a further year (3+1).

Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice

Lot 2 provides Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice. Lot 2 will be used by DfT and Clients when they require interim general transport advisors, high calibre panel and review team resources and development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies. Please refer to Section 1, paragraph 3 (Structure of the Framework: Lots, Categories and Grades) of the PSQPD for full details. This Lot value has been determined on the basis of anticipated utilisation of the Lot taking into consideration usage of the previous frameworks and future changes to the number of Clients who may access the STARFour Framework. DfT recognises that future changes to requirements of DfT and Clients may result in an increase between the estimated and actual value which if not permitted would jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the STARFour Framework. However, whilst this is a known risk, it is not possible for DfT to sufficiently quantify the risk at this time to enable it to be addressed. As such, if this known risk materialises, DfT reserves the right to undertake a permitted modification in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 7 (Materialisation of a known risk) of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023 to change the value of this Lot. Lot values may be shared across the Lots. Category F - Rail and Other Transport System Agency Advice Typical requirements include, but are not limited to: Sourcing interim general transport advisors Sourcing high calibre panel and review team resources. Development of specialist recruitment campaigns and strategies

Renewal: The initial period for the framework is 3 years with the option to extend for a further year (3+1).

Planning Information

The Department for Transport is launching preliminary market engagement for the STARFour Framework. Alongside this notice, we have shared the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List for your review. A short video briefing has also been prepared, providing background on the STARFour Framework and outlining its scope and objectives. This can be accessed using this link: https://tinyurl.com/STARFourFramework We are keen to gather views on the proposed scope and overall structure of STARFour and welcome your feedback to help shape our approach. Please share your views by completing the survey using the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOUR0000MarketSoundingQuestionnaire/ We kindly ask that responses are submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026. In order to access the proposed STARFour Category Chart and Category List, please use the Jaggaer online portal using the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/go/77730479019BA2F83148 If you are not already registered on the Department for Transport's e-sourcing platform Jaggaer, you can register via the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/ Thank you for your engagement. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fd57
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072886-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

71241000 - Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis

71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs

71243000 - Draft plans (systems and integration)

71244000 - Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs

71310000 - Consultative engineering and construction services

71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services

71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

71311230 - Railway engineering services

71311300 - Infrastructure works consultancy services

71313410 - Risk or hazard assessment for construction

71313420 - Environmental standards for construction

71313430 - Environmental indicators analysis for construction

71313440 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for construction

71313450 - Environmental monitoring for construction

72240000 - Systems analysis and programming services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

73220000 - Development consultancy services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

79311100 - Survey design services

79311300 - Survey analysis services

79311410 - Economic impact assessment

79312000 - Market-testing services

79313000 - Performance review services

79314000 - Feasibility study

79315000 - Social research services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79412000 - Financial management consultancy services

79413000 - Marketing management consultancy services

79417000 - Safety consultancy services

79418000 - Procurement consultancy services

79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

79421100 - Project-supervision services other than for construction work

79421200 - Project-design services other than for construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£350,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£350,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
21 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Transport
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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